Model in Towel, Sitting on Box 1902

Edward Hopper painted this model in a towel, sitting on a box, with oil on canvas. It's hard to pin down the date. Hopper really gets into the process here, and it’s like he's figuring it out as he goes. Look at how he handles the paint, so thin in places, almost like a stain, and then thicker, more opaque, where he wants to catch the light. The muted palette, mostly browns and grays, gives a sense of intimacy. A standout aspect is the way he captures the light hitting the model’s skin, and the towel, it’s like a cool, soft glow. He uses these broad strokes on the floorboards that lead your eye right to the model. It’s such a simple composition, but the way he plays with light and shadow gives it such a mood. Hopper has some shared terrain with someone like Fairfield Porter, though Hopper is maybe more melancholic. Both artists are concerned with capturing the quiet moments of everyday life. There's no one right way to look at this.